4 things to know about an outdoor gear rental startup with Hoosier roots

An Indianapolis-based startup co-founded by a Hoosier is quickly becoming the Airbnb for outdoor gear.

Quiptu, which launched this summer, is an online marketplace for anyone who needs to rent outdoor gear, such as tents, bikes and kayaks. It also allows people to make their own equipment available for rent through the Quiptu site.

Exploring the outdoors can be a stretch for anyone who does not own the often expensive equipment needed to embark on a trail or paddleboard on a river. 

"We think that there's a lot of outdoor adventure gear that people would benefit from renting as opposed to owning,” John Laughlin, Quiptu’s COO, told the Journal & Courier, which is IndyStar's sister paper in Lafayette. “And then there's a lot of people who just have that gear sitting in their garage or basement.”

Need to rent outdoor gear?:There's an app for that

And Laughlin said to the Journal & Courier that the founders hope to expand beyond Indiana and Colorado, where they put down roots.

Here are four things to know about Quiptu.

Where is Quiptu based?

Quiptu is located in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Lafayette and South Bend. There's also four locations in Colorado, including Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

The startup is asking the public where they should offer equipment next.

How did Quiptu get started?

In the summer of 2021, co-founder and CEO Josh Roche set out on a biking trip in Montana but did not have all of the needed equipment to complete it. Roche spent a significant amount of time securing a gravel bike for the 350-mile trip, according to the Herald-Times, which is another sister paper of IndyStar in Bloomington.

More on Quiptu:Bloomington startup makes outdoor adventures accessible by renting equipment

He sought out various sporting goods shops and finally figured it out, but it left him wondering how it could have gone smoother, Roche told the Journal & Courier.

How do you rent equipment?

Those interested in renting equipment can visit www.quiptu.com and browse pick-up and drop-off dates, places to rent and an activity with available outdoor gear.

That gear includes bikes, tents, camping essentials, tailgating and backpacking sets, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards.

How much does it cost?

Owners of the equipment that offer it for rental through Quiptu set the prices.

For example, bike rentals in Bloomington during the weekend of Oct. 15 range from $15 to $40 per day, according to the Quiptu website.

Rachel Fradette is a general assignment reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette.